PICK OF THE MONTH

Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy (15), Fri 14 Feb

Since The White Lotus and One Day, Leo Woodall has been hot stuff, and the natural next move for him was, of course, to become Bridget Jones’ last and youngest lover. The fourth and final instalment (dabs eyes) sees Bridget getting over Mark Darcy’s death (spoiler but seriously you’ll find out from the trailer!) by, well, getting under a 29-year-old. It’s out on Valentine’s Day and sure to be far more tasteful and romantic than we’ve just made it sound! Chiwetel Ejiofor and his washboard abs also star as well as returning favourites Hugh Grant, Jim Broadbent, Sally Phillips, Shirley Henderson and James Callis. Big knickers on gals, it’s the end of an era!

September 5 (15), Wed 5 Feb

Already dubbed the thriller of the year, Tim Fehlbaum’s Oscar nominated nail-biter, September 5, chronicles the Munich massacre of the 1972 Summer Olympics. Gulp. Told through the lens of the ABC Sports broadcasting team who quickly adapted their sports coverage to live broadcast the entire hostage situation – a monumental move which changed the world of news reporting forever. John Magaro is pitch perfect as a young, ambitious producer trying to prove himself to his legendary TV exec boss, played equally perfect by Peter Sarsgaard. Your blood pressure and anxiety levels will soar, however it’s impossible not to get caught up in this frantic, fever dream of a watch.

Love Hurts (15), Fri 7 Feb

Brought to you by the chaotic brains behind Bullet Train, Atomic Blonde and The Fall Guy, Love Hurts is an equally adrenaline-fuelled, high octane, action-packed thriller. But perhaps the best part about it is seeing Ke Huy Quan in his first leading man role since scooping the Oscar for his turn in Everything Everywhere All At Once. He plays Marvin, a seemingly mild-mannered realtor with a secret past as an assassin which he’s trying (and failing) to forget. Cue some dramatic fight scenes, perfect comedy timing and a banging soundtrack to boot (Celine Dion air-grabbing in the cinema is inevitable!). Ariana DeBose, Daniel Wu, Sean Astin and Marshawn Lynch also star in this brilliant alternative V-Day watch.

Dog Man (U), Fri 7 Feb

Dav Pilkey’s hit comic about a Dog Man hybrid detective has been given the DreamWorks treatment and a celebby voice cast – hello Ricky Gervais, Pete Davidson, Isla Fisher, Poppy Liu and Billy Boyd. It follows a police officer and his loyal canine companion as they put baddies behind bars, in this case, a power hungry cat. Colourful, funny in places and an easy 90 minutes worth of entertainment for the kids this half term.

Bring Them Down (15), Fri 7 Feb

If Barry Keoghan is in it, you can bet it’s going to be wild, unpredictable and a rip-roaring watch, and Bring Them Down is no exception. Though there is no nude dancing around mansions, he and co-star Christopher Abbott are both fire in this rural revenge thriller. Set in the depths of the Irish countryside, where there’s sheep rustling aplenty and a whole lotta space to bury secrets (and bodies), two families wage war. Blood-soaked and as chilly as those Irish moors but a stellar watch indeed.

Captain America: Brave New World (12A), Fri 14 Feb

Harrison Ford as a rampant Red Hulk, Anthony Mackie as Captain America? If you thought the Hulk was green and Chris Evans was the resident Capitan you need to keep up, sister, because the Marvel Universe waits for no woman. In Brave New World, the fifth phase of this action-packed franchise, Mackie’s Sam Wilson confronts Ford’s corrupt President Thaddeus Ross in a final showdown. Ok, as with all these superhero movies, it ain’t mould-breaking stuff but the special effects are second to none and Shira Haas, Liv Tyler, Giancarlo Esposito and Carl Lumbly also star adding some gravitas.

I’m Still Here (PG), Fri 21 Feb

A surprise nom for Best Picture at this year’s Oscars, yet I’m Still Here is certainly a justifiable one. Walter Salles transports us back to Brazil 1971 where tensions are running high and the military dictatorship tightens its grip. The film centres on Eunice Paiva (a magnetic Fernanda Torres) a mother of five trying to hold her family together after her husband is abducted by the army, and later vanishes without a trace. Breathtakingly tragic, yet a must-watch providing you’ve stocked up on the Kleenex beforehand!

The Monkey (15), Fri 21 Feb

If you’re sick of the Valentine’s cheese and lovey-dovey happy endings may we introduce you to The Monkey. A murderous story of a wind-up monkey toy with a propensity for killing. Theo James leads in a dual role playing estranged twin brothers, with Tatiana Maslany, Sarah Levy and Elijah Wood joining this bloodbath, which gives off a distinct Final Destination vibe. Based on the Stephen King short story and directed by horror god, Osgood Perking (Longlegs) this will certainly keep your mind off the season of lurve.

The Last Showgirl (15), Thu 27 Feb

A Pamela Anderson comeback? Here. For. It. Bringing the glitz and glam of Las Vegas by the feather boa load, Gia Coppola’s film sees showgirl Shelly (Anderson) coming to terms with the announcement that the revue she has headlined for decades will soon close. Hailed as Anderson’s career-defining performance, prepare to be razzle dazzled as Coppola pulls back the curtain on central themes including sexism, ageism, and resilience. Jamie Lee Curtis, Dave Bautista and Brenda Song also star.